(R)-Nifuratel is disclosed together with its use as bactericide and bacteriostatic agent as well as the pharmaceutical compositions containing the same; (R)-nifuratel has been surprisingly found to possess a better antimicrobial profile than either nifuratel racemate or (S)-nifuratel. A new procedure for the synthesis of both (R)-Nifuratel and (S)-Nifuratel is also disclosed.